CCTV/Reuters. Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday held talks in Xian with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan, who is in China for the China-Central Asia Summit and a state visit. Xi warmly welcomed Tokayev to China for the summit and the state visit, and expressed his pleasure at hosting Tokayev in Xian and once again wished him a happy birthday as he turned 70 on this very day.
Xi pointed out that Tokayev's state visit to China on this special occasion speaks volumes about the strength of the bilateral ties and once again attests to his unique bond with China. He stressed that both countries are at a crucial stage of development and rejuvenation, and China-Kazakhstan relations have entered the next three golden decades.
An independent, stable, and prosperous Kazakhstan meets the common interests of the Chinese and Kazakh people, Xi said, noting that China firmly supports Kazakhstan in safeguarding national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and in choosing its development path based on national conditions.
Xi said China and Kazakhstan have successfully carried out dozens of important cooperation projects since he proposed the Belt and Road Initiative 10 years ago. He called for joint efforts to expand cooperation in economy, trade, investment, agriculture, automobile manufacturing and energy, deepen connectivity, and explore new cooperation areas including e-commerce, innovation and big data.
He called on the two countries to speed up the implementation of the establishment of culture centers in each other's country and the opening of Luban Workshops, and take the signing of a mutual visa exemption agreement as an opportunity to strengthen people-to-people exchanges and cement the public support.
The China-Central Asia mechanism aims to focus on the current needs and future development of these countries, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation and contribute to common prosperity, Xi noted, adding that the forthcoming summit is of milestone significance and will usher China-Central Asia cooperation into a new era. China is ready to work with Central Asian countries including Kazakhstan to build the China-Central Asia mechanism into an important platform to promote the in-depth cooperation of the six countries, Xi said.
Tokayev expressed his pleasure to attend the China-Central Asia Summit in Xian and pay a state visit to China upon invitation. He extended congratulations on the great achievements made by China under the leadership of President Xi, saying that he believes China will have a brighter future.
Tokayev said he entirely agrees with Xi's remarks on Kazakhstan-China relations and suggestions on further strengthening bilateral cooperation. Noting that China holds a specially important position in Kazakhstan's foreign policy, he said Kazakhstan-China relations, based on profound friendship and solid mutual trust, share common goals and missions.
Tokayev said Kazakhstan is willing to work with China to further strengthen the permanent comprehensive strategic partnership and expand bilateral cooperation in such fields as trade, tourism, culture and local affairs, so as to lay a more solid foundation for the two countries to usher in another three golden decades.
He applauded the signing of the mutual visa exemption agreement, saying it will strongly boost bilateral exchanges. He said the Belt and Road Initiative is a great initiative, and Kazakhstan will continue to take an active part in it.
In the current complex international situation, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi are of great significance, and Kazakhstan actively supports them and stands ready to strengthen communication and coordination with China in these regards, he said. Tokayev said Kazakhstan is ready to work with China to make full use of the China-Central Asia mechanism to jointly promote regional security, stability and development.
After the talks, the two heads of state signed a joint statement and witnessed the signing of bilateral documents on cooperation in areas including economy, trade, energy, transport, agriculture, connectivity, culture, and local affairs.
Tokayev arrived in northwest China's Xian City on Wednesday to attend the China-Central Asia Summit scheduled for Thursday and Friday and pay a state visit to China at the invitation of President Xi. During his three-day stay in China, the Kazakh president will join the heads of state from the other four Central Asian countries - Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan - to attend the summit to be chaired by Xi.
